ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Asia-Pacific art finally conquers Britain with V&A exhibition

exhibition · 2026-05-15

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London just launched an exciting new show called 'Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific.' It features over 70 artworks that UK audiences haven’t seen before, created by artists from 25 countries. This exhibition is a partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane. One of the highlights is a life-sized fibreglass sculpture by Michael Parekōwhai, named 'Kapa Haka (Whero),' which depicts a Māori bouncer and is placed right at the entrance, opposite medieval and Renaissance galleries. This event marks a significant development in showcasing Asia-Pacific art in Britain, a region that hasn't received much attention historically.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'Rising Voices' at V&A features over 70 works
  • Works never before exhibited in the UK
  • Artists from 25 countries are represented
  • Produced in partnership with QAGOMA in Brisbane
  • Michael Parekōwhai's sculpture 'Kapa Haka (Whero)' is a key piece
  • Sculpture placed in V&A main entrance hall
  • Māori bouncer figure guards the exhibition
  • Exhibition runs at V&A in South Kensington

Entities

Artists

  • Michael Parekōwhai

Institutions

  • Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • South Kensington
  • Brisbane
  • Australia
  • Aotearoa New Zealand
  • New Zealand

Sources